A few mornings ago, we sat together in the darkness, awaiting the rising of the sun. We quietly talked about the Season of Advent and our theme —- CHRIST, OUR LIGHT AND OUR HOPE.

Today we too need Christ’s Light and Hope to shine through the darkness which sin has created in our world —- the sins of prejudice, injustice, oppression, hatred, violence and war. These sins have stolen peace from our hearts and from our world.

We, as individuals, may feel helpless and often hopeless in bringing about a just and lasting peace —- of becoming a kingdom of forgiveness and love. We are not helpless! We are not hopeless! We have Jesus —- Our Light and our Hope —- to lead us. He shows us God, Our Father, who forgives us and loves us unconditionally —- He asks only that we come to Him, seek His forgiveness and love Him and one another.

It may seem a colossal task to change our world; but each of us has a chance, with Jesus help, to change ourselves. On Monday, December 16th, at 7:30 p.m. and on Saturday, December 21st, at 3:00 p.m., all are invited to our Advent Reconciliation Services. We will gather as family; listen to God’s Word; pray together with one voice; examine our consciences and confess our sins. Our priest will then speak to us the words of absolution.

We will be filled with peace and joy as we discover a deeper relationship with our God. We will experience His mercy, forgiveness and love to share with all the world.

All we have to do is come—- Jesus will do the rest!

As you know, during Advent we make specific spiritual, liturgical, and even organizational preparations for our celebration of the feast of Christmas and the Christmas season which follows it. As it so happens this year, we are also taking this time to make preparations for long-term changes in our liturgy—namely, those concerning kneeling during the Eucharistic Prayer and before Communion and bowing before receiving Holy Communion.

Last week we noted that these changes are not insignificant nor arbitrary. Primarily, they are directed toward our sense of reverence toward God during the Mass. The way we worship together becomes a large part of our witness to the world that the Holy Spirit of God is alive within us, helping us to be authentic, believable witnesses for Jesus Christ. The way we worship helps us become a better Church as the sacrament—the visible sign—of Jesus Christ in the world.

PLEASE NOTE!!!!!

All items for the Dec. 29th bulletin
must be in the parish office by Wed. Dec. 18th.

Hospitals can no longer provide priests and sisters lists of Catholic patients. Therefore, the only way we can know if a member of your family or a neighbor is in the hospital is if you phone us at 589-2800-Fr. Ring, Fr. Hamilton, Father Marini and Sister Ita

Christmas Poinsettias will decorate the Church during the Christmas Season. If you would like to make a donation of $10 (please make check out to St. Robert’s, Poinsettias Fund) toward their purchase in memory of a loved one, fill out the form below and return it to the Parish Office by December 23rd. A memorial list will be published in the bulletin.

In preparation for Christmas, we have the opportunity to experience Christ - Our Light and Our Hope - in His Sacrament of Forgiveness. We are all sinners in need of reconciliation with our God and with one another. Jesus offers us His mercy and His love on

Monday, December 16th, at 7:30 p.m. and
Saturday, December 21st at 3:00 p.m.

Please see the magazine rack in the vestibule of church for a list of courses to be offered by the Archdiocesan School of Pastoral Leadership beginning in January. Tuition assistance is available from the parish for some courses.

Many parishioners contribute "behind-the-scenes" toward making Advent and Christmas a beautiful time. A heartfelt thank-you goes to Verna Freed for coordinating our missalette switch with Gene May at the beginning of Advent. Verna has done this for many years running and deserves a hand!

Please visit the Child’s Liturgy-Giving Tree in the vestibule of the church. Help yourself to one of our tree decorations with a gift suggestion of any gift you wish. Please place the unwrapped gifts into the box at the tree. The last day for bringing gifts will be Sunday, December 22nd.

This is our 11th year of sponsoring the "Giving Tree" and over the years the needs of the community have changed. We still need toys. The agencies we serve have requested some adult items such as: underwear, socks and hygiene items.

Once again thank you for your generosity and your help in celebrating the joys of giving to others this Christmas.

REMINDER: Gifts will be collected after all the Masses this weekend, December 14th and 15th, for distribution next week.

Monday, December 16th 7:30 p.m.
Saturday , December 21st 3:00 p.m.

Christmas Eve, Tuesday, December 24th
4:30 p.m., Children’s Choir
8:00 p.m., Evening Choir
12:00 a.m., Midnight Mass, Adult Choir

Christmas Day, Wednesday, December 25th
7:30 a.m.
9:30 a.m.
11:30 a.m.
NO MASS at 5:00 p.m.

Wednesday, January 1, 2002
9:00 a.m. Only

Final performances will be:

December 22nd at 4:00 p.m.
at St. Catherine of Siena Church
1310 Bayswater Ave.
Burlingame

PARISH COOKBOOK- Submit your favorite recipes to be included in the

1st Annual Parish Cookbook.

No community whether family, village or state is really strong if it will not carry its weakest members. They belong to it no less than the strong, and the quiet work of their maintenance and care, which might seem useless on a superficial view, is perhaps more effective than common labor, culture, or historical conflict in knitting it closely and securely together. On the other hand, a community which regards and treats its weak members as a hindrance, and even precedes to their extermination, is on the verge of collapse.

Kindergarten Application

Applications for St. Robert School Kindergarten for the 2003/2004 school year will be accepted in the School Office Monday-Friday, January 6th through the 10th, between 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. The screening fee for each applicant is $25.00

Please bring copies of your child’s birth and baptismal records, a recent family photograph and your child’s social security number. Screening dates will be assigned on completion of the application.

Requirements for School Registration:

Family must be registered and participating members of St. Robert’s Parish or St. Bruno’s Parish. This means that the family is involved in Parish life and the financial support of the Parish. Applications will be accepted for children who are 5 years of age by September 1, 2003. All acceptances will be based on student screenings and parent interviews.

Non-Discrimination Policy

St. Robert School, mindful of its mission to be witness to the love of Christ for all, admits students of any race, color, and national and/or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at this school. St. Robert School does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, and national and/or ethnic origin in administration of educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.

Open House

Albertson Community Card. If you shop there and need a card please call Linda Cuddy.